This season has been a rollercoaster for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and not in a good way. The team lost Mitch Marner in the offseason, is currently outside the playoff picture, and may end up without their first-round pick.
To add salt to the wound, captain Auston Matthews is sidelined with a season-ending injury. The only silver lining would be snagging a top-five pick in the NHL Draft through the lottery, but with a 25% chance, that’s a long shot.
For many Leafs fans, the end of this season can't come soon enough. Let’s dive into how the 2025-26 season stacks up against other challenging years.
The 2009-10 Maple Leafs
Back in 2009-10, Leafs Nation endured a tough season, finishing second to last with just 74 points, only ahead of a struggling Edmonton Oilers team. Fans might have hoped for a high draft pick, but the first-round pick was traded to the Boston Bruins in the Phil Kessel deal.
While Kessel had some strong seasons in Toronto, posting 30 goals and 55 points in 70 games that year, the trade cost the Leafs a chance at drafting Tyler Seguin, who has since had a stellar career. It raises the question: was the trade worth it during such a bleak period?
The 1984-85 Maple Leafs
The 1984-85 season is often remembered as one of the darkest in Maple Leafs history. The team finished dead last with a 20-52-8 record.
Despite the dismal performance, Rick Vaive shone brightly, scoring 35 goals and 68 points in 72 games. Other forwards like John Anderson and Bill Derlago also had over 50-point seasons, but defensive woes led to a -105 goal differential.
However, the season ended on a high note as the Leafs drafted Wendel Clark, who became a franchise legend.
The 2015-16 Maple Leafs
Fast forward to 2015-16, another tough year with the Leafs finishing last, the only team not to win 30 games. The offense struggled, with Nazem Kadri leading the team with just 45 points.
Defensive issues persisted, but goaltenders James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier provided some stability with solid stats. The silver lining came with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, which brought Auston Matthews into the fold, setting the stage for a brighter future.
The 2025-26 Struggles
This season feels like déjà vu, but without the promising ending. The Leafs might lose their first-round pick to the Bruins, reminiscent of 2010, but this time for a defensive player, Brandon Carlo, who hasn’t made a significant impact.
General Manager Brad Treliving faces scrutiny, with limited draft capital and only one first-round pick next season from the Nic Roy trade with Colorado. With the Avalanche poised for success, that pick may not hold much value.
The future looks uncertain for the Leafs. With questions surrounding management, superstar motivation, and leadership, it might be a while before the team is back in playoff contention.
Is this the worst season in franchise history? It’s certainly in the conversation.